Bowdens Silver

The Bowden’s Silver Mine, as has been showcased in a vast number of submissions previously, other catastrophic events occurring in lead mines and the own research of the LAG to show the potentially devastating outcome of this mine on the Lawson Creek, the townships of Lue, Mudgee and the downstream watercourses including the Cudegong and Macquarie Rivers.

This project will see the demise of a large tract of productive farmland and extremely valuable water sources for the short term gain of few.

I strongly protest the development of the Mine and the realignment of the power lines, as outlined.

I believe that this project is not in the interests of the local population living in the vicinity (c. 5km ) of the putative mine, especially those whose residences are downwind of the major prevailing winds. Dust from the mine will inevitably contain toxic heavy metal dust, especially lead and arsenic, the health effects of which, especially when 'blended' together are very incompletely established. Salts of these elements will also be present in the water that runs off the mined ore stock piles and will be concentrated in the mine tailings dam which is situated so that during ever more frequent intense rain storms has the potential to flood into Lawson Cree, an important tributary of the Cudgegong River that is a source of water for town supply, agricultural activities and the natural environment all of which will suffer.
The mine plans to realign a major power line system that will involve major clearing of native vegetation this disrupting the habitat of a vaiety of native species, both plant and animals including threatened species, as well as negatively effecting the visual amenity enjoyed by the significant rural community that has views of the ridge along which it is planned to be occupied by the line and its pylons.
Overall processing of the ore type present at Bowdens requires large volumes of water, in an environment where the supply is already fully committed and on this account alone should be allowed.

I am 22 years old. My family has owned Wyuna in Lue for my entire life. I spent all my childhood school holidays at Wyuna. For me it was an escape from city life and I loved every moment I spent there. My brother, my friends and I learnt how to ride motorbikes, we learnt how to hunt for yabbies in the dam, we learnt how to grow oats and how to fatten cattle, we learnt how to make a fire and how to pitch a tent. Recently we rescued some racehorses and Wyuna is now their home. Wyuna gave us the space and freedom that we didn’t have in the city.

My hopes and dreams were to bring my own children to Wyuna some day so that they could enjoy it the way I had. It’s not fair that such a beautiful little farm is allowed to be ruined by the greed of others who are only interested in making money out of Lue.

I am worried that my parents will simply sell or abandon Wyuna should the mine go ahead.

I object to all parts of the mining application in its entirety.

I am 18 and our farm in Lue, Wyuna was my second home growing up. I learnt to ride a quad bike and I loved being able to bring my dogs to Wyuna where they could run freely. I know that this mining application has caused my parents a great deal of unnecessary stress as they had planned to retire to Wyuna and we had planned to be able to come and visit as well and bring our own families and friends to stay.

I do not approve of any part of this project, and I certainly do not want the mining company to be allowed to put enormous power lines on the ridge above my farm to ruin the view I have enjoyed all my life.

I object to this project going ahead in all aspects.

I strongly oppose to the re-alignment of the 500kV transmission line. If the line is moved could this allow the Bowden Mine to become bigger in size and therefore more dust, pollution and toxic waste to the district?
The re-alignment is directly impacting the village of Lue. The village will be affected during construction with extra amount of traffic and dust. Then the forever power line will cause an unsightly vision over the village. There will be greater impact on the environment with further vegetation clearing of threatened flora and fauna.
It must also be noted the huge impact the Silver Mine will have on the village of Lue, the Cudgegong Valley and the western region. The silver mine also produces a waste component of lead which is toxic to all water ways further downstream plus the health concerns of the residents of Lue.
The other major concern is the piping of water from Moolarben, Ulan Coalfields. This region is on the eastern water catchment and once piped to Bowden, it would be redirected to the western water catchment this I believe is far from environmental. This water being sent west if the tailing dam ever leaked would contaminate the whole western catchment.
In order for this water to reach the Bowden’s Silver Mine from Moolarben it needs to be piped 58kms. The water supply pipeline will travel through farming land, public roads, and environmental corridors. The water is not treated and therefore very toxic to vegetation. So if there is a leak in this line, country will be destroyed and declared unusable. There has been very little if any negotiation with land owners in relation to this.
The district over the years has become a tourist heaven and it would be very sad to lose this. The Mid Western region has enjoyed the benefit of lots of visitors and welcoming new residents to the district due to having such beautiful clean environment which we all appreciate.

Objection to Bowdens Silver Mines Amended Application SSD 5765

I am the owner of Wyuna in Lue. Wyuna is identified by Bowdens as property number 87 in their application. I have owned this beautiful and unspoiled farm for 24 years. Should the proposed mine go ahead, amongst other things I now understand I will be looking directly at the realigned 500KW transmission lines from most parts of my property. This would spoil my view and impact my visual quality of life. It would also be off-putting to the many guests that come to Wyuna to enjoy the countryside. We have invested 24 years of our time, money and passion into our farm. Wyuna is irreplaceable and all the things that make it irreplaceable would only be destroyed should this mining application be approved. My plans to retire to Wyuna would be lost! I worry about my fears and aspirations of what the future holds. Bowden's have caused this.

The exact location of the realignment has changed from the original proposal which adds to my concern as Bowden's management through this entire process has been substandard. Why was this realignment not included in the original application? I run a large business and am familiar with the workings of a successful business. I find Bowdens either (and possibly both) loose or deliberate in their planning and/or exploitation of the application process. Either way it concerns me that they may well be inept in managing and running a mining business if the administration planning is so unpredictable, incomplete, unprofessional and incompetent.

Based on the information given to date, I attach a copy of an image kindly produced by a neighbour to illustrate how the realigned power lines will look from my farm. This image is deeply disturbing as it shows an ugly picture of just how large these pylons will appear from my property. It does not show the removal of vegetation under the power lines, which would only serve to make the view even more distressing. I welcome Bowdens to arrange a time with me to enter my property and to correct this image if it is not accurate.

I am also deeply concerned about the planned removal of 12.6 ha of beautiful unspoiled native vegetation from under the footprint of the power lines, which I understand would cause loss of already threatened Box Gums and would further damage the ecological landscape. Not only would I be looking at these enormous, ugly transmission line towers, but also the scarred and treeless cleared landscape underneath.

My observation through Bowdens whole process shows the lack of assessment and uncertainty regarding the realigned transmission lines, and how many other aspects of the application have suffered a similar lack of attention. I also find it shocking the lack of assessment of the extremely long 58.5 km water pipeline. It concerns me that the entire project is a disaster waiting to happen, both economically and environmentally. Bowden's exhibit to me an inability to follow the application process correctly, and I can only imagine how badly they would run the mine. I imagine the environmental disaster should the Bowden's mine go into administration, or become un-financial in any way, part way through the construction of the open mine and the tailings dam with no financial resources to 'clean up the mess', the beauty of the area would be lost forever. The health risk and economic damage to the community would be unfettered and ongoing.

The new transmission lines would be moved around half a kilometre closer to our property and would pollute and spoil our currently unspoilt view. At any time of the day, I enjoy looking at the ridgeline view of the hills adjacent to our beautiful farm across our pristine creek, this would be sullied forever. I understand that a failure by a proponent mining company to protect the visual amenity of landowners was in part the reason for the failure of the proposed coal mine at Rocky Hill. Please refer to the judgement in Gloucester Resources Limited v Minister for Planning [2019] NSWLEC 7. In essence there is very little between this case and what is being planned for Lue. The Rocky Hill application was refused because its benefits were outweighed by its “disbenefits” of visual, air quality and social impacts on existing uses in the vicinity of the mine, as well as the impacts of greenhouse gas emissions by the proposed mine.

I'm sure Bowdens will try to discredit my concerns and objections as they have done in the past, however these concerns are valid. I have owned Wyuna for 24 years and I feel qualified to comment on how disastrous this will be for myself, my family and our community.

I attach an image in the pdf file of the proposed view from our house paddock driveway of the planned transmission lines. It would totally spoil and upset the view we love today.

I ask that the project application and amendments be refused.

Regards,

Phil Cameron

I object to this project on the basis that it threatens the beauty of the local environment, as well as in support of the local landholders who also object to this project, many of whom will be adversely impacted for years to come if this project were to go ahead.

As our property shares borders with the mine site, I strongly oppose the project on the grounds that it will negatively effect our lives and our property through the added traffic, noise and pollution that will come with it. In regards to the proposed amendment for moving the power lines, I oppose the proposal as we will now have to see the lines far more prominently from the village and our property and I also oppose the additional traffic and noise that will come from the construction of moving and installing the lines. I feel that the added traffic for both the power lines and construction of the mine would not be sustainable for the state of Lue Road and it will be dangerous for us locals who need to travel on the road daily. We have chosen to live in a rural location to enjoy the tranquility that comes with such a location and we do not wish to now be surrounded by constant traffic and noise. I am not opposed to mining when it is done thoughtfully and not at risk to the health and safety of the neighbouring communities but this mine is far too close to an existing and established community which will suffer greatly if it is to go ahead.

Please see attached objections.

PLS REFER ATTACHMENT

16 August 2021 Submission to Dept of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) re Bowdens Silver Project (SSD 5765) amended application

We are landholders and primary producers (cattle) in the Lue region and continue to object to Bowdens Silver Projects amended application to build a Silver Mine in the Lue region. We strongly object to the proposed mine development.

In addition to our original concerns raised on 27 July 2020, we have some considerable concerns about Bowdens Silver Pty Limited (Bowdens Silver) and its holding company Silver Mines Limited (SVL) ability to run and manage such a significant State project and whether they are truly taking into account the concerns of the Lue, Rylstone, Kandos community.

After finally submitting their response to initial public submissions 8 months after the DPIE deadline, we are concerned that the Submissions report prepared by Bowdens Silver's consultants Corkery and Co has addressed some but not all of the objection concerns adequately.

Firstly, Silver Mines Limited in its recent “Activities report for quarter ended 30 June 2021”, (announcement to the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) on 22 July 2021) says on Page 2 in its EIS summary that there is “an arrangement to source surplus water from nearby coal fields via a dedicated water pipeline thereby limiting the requirement to source water locally”.

Yet, the Bowdens Silver Submissions Report- June 2021 under the heading of Water Supply on page Ivi states “Bowdens Silver is continuing commercial negotiations regarding the supply of water.” We would ask the DPIE to ensure that Bowdens Silver has the required alternative water sources in place or the mine development should be rejected outright.

As stated in prior objections water security is a huge concern. It is essential for the security and wellbeing of the locals and farming and agricultural enterprises. In addition, the SVL statement is somewhat misleading as the proposed Mine would be taking local water in the establishment and construction phase which was 1 ½ years as stated in the May 2020 EIS.

Secondly, Bowdens Silver submitted an EIS last May 2020, prepared by their consultants Corkery and Co, this approximately 6000 page report was lodged with the DPIE. The Public were given 8 weeks to respond to this EIS. Many of the objections were considered and thoughtful and extremely concerned about the proposed Mine development and effect on our community particularly the village of Lue. Yet a year later in May 2021 the Bowdens Silver Project has amended its development application (reference DPIE letter 26/5/21 from S O’Donoghue, Director Resource Assessments) asking for realignment of transmission lines.

Additionally, in an Announcement to the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) on 5 August 2021, Silver Mines Limited lodged a document ‘Scoping Study begins on Underground Mining Scenarios at Bowdens Silver’.

These two actions raise concerns that there may be further amendments to come that Bowdens Silver has not been forthcoming in outlining in the Amended application at this time. Does Bowdens Silver plan to amend the proposed open cut development to include underground mining? If this is the case, this would raise many more questions to be addressed such as, how would the community & environment be affected by underground mining in addition to Open Cut development? Would the mine life be extended?

For all these reasons and the effect of the proposed movement of the High transmission powerlines closer to the Lue village we ask that you reject the Mine’s application.

I strongly object to this project as it poses a significant threat to the natural landscape and the local community. The proximity of this mine to Lue Public School coupled with the significant environmental impact on water levels, flora and fauna and soil foundations demonstrate exactly why this mine should not go ahead. There are many alternative options for a mine site which are not likely to affect the health and wellbeing of our young generation and the environment which is increasingly affected by our changing climate. Before this mine goes ahead it is important to properly consider the impact that this last minute movement of power lines, the noise of the mine and the increase in traffic could have on this serene part of NSW. Whilst some submissions in the initial request supported the development of the mine due to the potential increase in jobs, they have not considered the detrimental and longlasting impact on our environment and our community when all resources have been mined in a short period of time and all jobs disappear. You only need to look at nearby Kandos to understand this, how a once booming cement factory which generated many jobs for a brief period of time has now resulted in a desolate, quite town whose environment has undergone longlasting impact. Do not allow Lue to fall into this same trap, please save this precious part of the Australia from the devastation that will ensue if Bowden's silver mine is approved.

Country towns need jobs, and large projects like this are so critical for providing employment opportunities for our young people. The flow-on effects of increased employment are extremely important, not just economically, but also socially and for health reasons

Re Practical Rehabilitation Improvements

Re Dust and Its Distribution

RE TSF Dust Generation

As until recently a long term Mudgee resident I am extremely concerned about a proposed development application by Bowdens Silver, who have applied to the NSW Department of Planning to build an open-cut SILVER, LEAD & ZINC mine 2 kms from the beautiful, village of Lue which has 192 residents, many weekend and holiday visitors and a thriving primary school.
This mine will use a lot of water. Bowdens will take groundwater from the Lawson Creek catchment, 5 megalitres every day. 5ML per day is not available in the Lawson Creek catchment.
The water table at the mine pit will drop by 25 meters. Many of the springs and bores in the area will cease to operate.
 There will be a tailings dam to hold the poisonous by-products which include ARSENIC, CADMIUM, CYANIDE and LEAD. This enormous tailings dam is planned to be located less than 1 KM from Lawsons Creek. It will be there FOREVER. Tailings dams breach under extreme weather conditions. As water is one of our country’s most valuable resources the risk of contamination is too great. Surely we all recognise this by now?
 Extracted rock will be processed on site. CYANIDE will be used to process the crushed rock. The remaining acid forming rock is also toxic. Bowdens are proposing to wrap this acid forming rock in plastic and leave it on site FOREVER. This has not been done before. It does not sound safe or environmentally responsible.
 Our landscape is fragile. We can’t afford to damage it with such a dangerous project.
As Lue is part of the beautiful Mudgee area, renowned for a long time for it’s prime agricultural land and natural beauty, which attracts visitors all year round, I implore the NSW Department of Planning to decline permission for this mine to proceed. I hope when evaluating this application common sense prevails and thoughtful consideration is given to long term future of the land, water and community.

Firstly in these current times the jobs created for local population would be great.
Bowdens Silver is a Australian company.
Silver is a valuable resource used in medical and renewable applications.